Tried and Tested Methods of Fighting Gum Disease

Looking to turn your lifestyle around and practice better habits in 2019? Your oral health is a great place to start. You only get two chances at great natural teeth in your life-your milk teeth, which fall off at around age five, and your permanent set of teeth which should serve you for a lifetime. Coming in at a close second in terms of importance are your gums. You will never have perfect oral health unless your gums as are healthy as your teeth. Gum disease, also known as periodontal or celiac disease, is a prevalent problem among many people. Luckily for you, we at Sherwood Dental – Dentist in Kitchener have come up with a list of things you should do in 2019 to avoid gum disease.

Choose the Right Products

First, we recommend going for toothbrushes that are mild-bristled. Toothbrushes with tough bristles are bad for your gums. They hurt your gums and can even cause them to bleed. These toothbrushes will also be unfriendly to the surface of your teeth, which could cause unnecessary wear. A soft and medium-bristled toothbrush will get the job done without hurting your oral health. As far as choosing toothpaste, go for products that are CDA-endorsed. The Canadian Dental Association will only give their seal of approval to products that meet the required standards.

Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day…

…for three minutes! Yes, you’ve read that right. You need to set aside at least six minutes of your twenty-four hour day to brush your teeth. It’s such a small investment but the rewards are big! Make sure you brush all the surfaces of your teeth and your tongue as well. Bacteria hide in the tongue and come out to play when you’re not looking. If you wear braces or Invisalign, you’ll need to brush more than twice a day, particularly after every meal. This includes snacks and drinks other than plain water.

Floss Once Every Day

Flossing gets the gunk between your teeth that brushing doesn’t. Go for a good flossing product that is CDA-approved. Letting the food particles and plaque between your teeth to sit will allow them to harden to tartar, which increases your risk of getting gum disease. Floss at least once every day and you’ll keep that gum disease at bay. A good way of getting some flossing done is hiding away for a couple minutes every day after lunch break to clear that debris between your teeth. You can also do this every morning before work or at night just before bed. Having a schedule for it will help you keep tabs on when you miss this very important activity.

Use Mouthwash

There is no recommendation as to how many times you should use mouthwash in a day. However, we suggest using it when you feel the need to. For instance, you could use it to freshen your mouth or to kill any bacteria left over after brushing. Some people prefer to use mouthwash right after brushing their teeth. Others will gargle mouthwash at random moments of the day. Whatever your preference, our dentist can help you choose the right mouthwash for your needs.

Say No to Sweet Things

Yes, you can do it! Sweet things are, well, sweet and tempting and irresistible. They give you a sugar high and make you happy. Unfortunately, they also ruin your teeth and can contribute to poor gum health. If you must have sweets, cakes and soft drinks, ensure you do it in moderation and clean your teeth afterwards. The sugar that remains behind in your teeth way after you are done eating that tempting piece of black forest is bad for your teeth. Bacteria in your mouth feeds on this sugar, thus starting the decay and infection process.

While a lot of your oral health is dependent on your day-to-day oral hygiene habits, you also need to visit a dentist twice a year for your check-ups. Ideally, we recommend putting six months between your visits so that you have a 6-month check-up and a 12-month check-up. At Sherwood Dental, our dentists will keep tabs on your gum health and ensure that any signs of gum disease are caught in good time. If you already have gum disease, you can still get treated. Our dental clinic provides a wide range of dental treatment options including bone and tissue regeneration, tooth extraction, surgical cleanings and tissue grafting.